Sunday, August 2, 2015

Benjamin Campbell and Elizabeth Stoops of Ohio

My 3rd
great-grandparents, Benjamin Campbell and his first cousin (yes, it happens,
and has occurred several times in my lines), Elizabeth “Betsy” Stoops, married
in Highland County, Ohio, 11 March 1819.1

Benjamin
was the son of Abraham Campbell and Elizabeth McCormick and Elizabeth was the daughter of Philip Stoops
and Ann(e) McCormick.

The
Campbells, Stoops, and collateral families of Sharp (Robert Sharp and Grisela
McCormick, Henry Sharp and Esther McCormick) and Spence (John Spence and
Isabella McCormick) left Rockbridge County, Virginia, and arrived in Ohio
between 1810 and 1820, settling in Adams, Clinton, Highland, and Ross Counties. Descendants of these families moved to Clark,
Fayette, Marion, Shelby, and Warren Counties.

In
1820, Benjamin and Elizabeth are living in West Union, Adams County, Ohio.2 By
1830, they have moved to Chester Township, Clinton County, Ohio.3

The
1840 census has Elizabeth listed as the head of the household living in Paint
Township, Highland County.4

I have
not found a death date (Ohio death records do not begin until 1867 although a few counties have them for 1856-1857) or burial location for Benjamin. There is
an 1878 death record for a Benjamin
Campbell in Harveysburg, Warren County, Ohio,5 which lists his parents as Abram
Campbell and Eliz. Stoops. I am not convinced that this is my 3rd
great-grandfather. I have not been able
to locate him in the 1840-1870 censuses.
I need to do some newspaper research to see if there may be an obituary.

In
1850, Elizabeth is still living in Paint Township, Highland County, Ohio,6 and
listed as 60 years of age. Living with her are daughter Anna Belle McCoy,
son-in-law Edmund McCoy, granddaughter Elizabeth, and sons Daniel and John.

In
1860, Elizabeth is missing. She is not
in Highland County or other Ohio counties.
I don’t think she was too far away as she was close to 70 years of age
and was probably missed in the enumeration.

In
1870, Elizabeth is listed in the household of her son-in-law Edmund McCoy and
family living in Fairfield Township, Highland County, Ohio.7 She is listed as
88 years of age and an invalid.

Elizabeth
died 6 September 1874 in Centerfield, Fairfield Township, Highland County,
Ohio.8 She is buried in the Fall Creek
Cemetery, Liberty Township, Highland County, Ohio.9 (The cemetery books states her death year as 1875.) I have visited the cemetery numerous time and
have yet to find her tombstone. I also need to check Highland County newspapers
for an obituary for her.